Above all, they concurred in the belief that there were
great treasures buried deep in the earth under the Tower of the
Seven Floors.
These stories made an unusual impression on the mind of the honest
Peregil, and they sank deeper and deeper into his thoughts as he
returned alone down the darkling avenues. "If, after all, there should
be treasure hid beneath that tower: and if the scroll I left with
the Moor should enable me to get at it!" In the sudden ecstasy of
the thought he had well nigh let fall his water-jar.
That night he tumbled and tossed, and could scarcely get a wink of
sleep for the thoughts that were bewildering his brain. Bright and
early, he repaired to the shop of the Moor, and told him all that
was passing in his mind. "You can read Arabic," said he; "suppose we
go together to the tower, and try the effect of the charm; if it fails
we are no worse off than before; but if it succeeds, we will share
equally all the treasure we may discover."
"Hold," replied the Moslem; "this writing is not sufficient of
itself; it must be read at midnight, by the light of a taper
singularly compounded and prepared, the ingredients of which are not
within my reach. Without such a taper the scroll is of no avail."
"Say no more!" cried the little Gallego; "I have such a taper at
hand, and will bring it here in a moment." So saying he hastened home,
and soon returned with the end of yellow wax taper that he had found
in the box of sandalwood.
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